My mornings used to be a stressful time of the day. After my feet hit the floor, I stretch out all the kinks and sore muscles from sleep the night before. Let my dogs out to go potty and my cat in from his nightly scampers. I would sit down in front of my laptop to catch up on the world that I missed while I slept. I open up my Outlook (email service in Windows for you Mac users) while it was loading I pull up my Facebook feed. Between all the terrible lies being sold as the truth on the interwebs and the spam in my inbox, I would get lost chasing rabbits down the information highway. I receive hundreds of emails daily because at some point I bought what they were selling. I thought it mattered to them if I did, so I did. If you are anything like I am you have spent most of your life saying ‘yes.’ I bought products I have never used. Have ebooks in will never read and still am bombarded with emails I never had the heart to unsubscribe. I even have a timeshare that we barely have time to use because I could not say ‘no.’ (Willing to sell if you are interested) I spent so much time clicking yes that it became a habit for the rest of my life. For many years I was a yes man, I would take the path of least resistance and say yes to everyone. After years […]

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I recently shared my thoughts on Medium about MLK Day and the correlation it holds with me personally. Today as I celebrate my own birthday I share it with another great day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I remember as a kid being told that parades were being held just for me on my birthday. In fact, I was reminded of the same just yesterday. One thing that I share with Martin Luther King Jr. is his great tenacity to love. Love in a way where you are able to serve one another. Love in a way where your faith is what leads you. Love in a way that your actions answer the most persistent and urgent questions “what are you doing for others? Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. I spent many years conflicted about the thin line between love and hate. Raised in the south, I saw hate in all shapes, sizes, and colors. As I grow older each day I have witnessed the beauty in which Martin Luther King Jr. had foretold. A time and place where we can learn to live together as brothers and sisters. In a world more divided than in Martin Luther King Jr.’s day, we look to our leaders for an example, yet we find none. Rather than following the consensus it is time we become the molder of consensus. It is time we lift each other up and hold each other in […]

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Inspired by the One Word concept created by One Word that Will Change Your Life a book by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page. I have chosen a new word for 2016. What will your One Word be for the New Year? In 2015 I had chosen Service as my One Word, by setting the expectation up front it gave me a goal for the year. As I reflect on the past year, I believe service was a perfect choice. I pushed my comfort levels and began to be heavily involved with several nonprofits and other organizations within my community. I found myself serving others and utilizing my talents in ways I never had imagined. What One Word will describe your year? Mine will be … Click To Tweet As we move into the new year it is my prayer that I will witness the same power this coming year. I pray that you will be able to find one word that will renew and re-energize your year. My word comes from taking my time and spending it in prayerful communion with my Father. I feel this word has been laid on my spirit, and that it reflects His plan for me over the next year. My One Word for the New Year of 2016 will be Fearless! I have lived my life bound by fear, held prisoner to the opinions of others, 2016 will be the year I break free. By facing my own fears, I will be able to comfort and guide others. […]

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